At the finale reception of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Annual Conference in Miami, Florida, the AEM Hall of Fame welcomed three innovative leaders into its ranks. The AEM Hall of Fame officially inducted Billy Robert “B.R.” Lee, founder of LeeBoy; Art and Panny McElroy, founders of McElroy Manufacturing; and Nicolaus August Otto, engineer and inventor with Deutz, into this prestigious group. This year, judges carefully considered an impressive pool of high-caliber nominations, ultimately selecting this trio as the 2025 AEM Hall of Fame class. All three inductees were honored posthumously.
"B.R. Lee, Art and Panny McElroy, and Nicolaus August Otto each embody the spirit of innovation and dedication that drives our industry forward," said AEM President & CEO Megan Tanel. "Their creations undoubtedly transformed the equipment manufacturing industry and inspired future generations to continue pushing forward. AEM is honored to add them to our Hall of Fame.”
Lee revolutionized the commercial paving industry through innovation, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the paving professional. In the 1960s, he began crafting affordable pull-boxes from scrap metal in his backyard garage, addressing the needs of small contractors. In 1970, B.R. spawned an entirely new industry with his invention of the first self-propelled commercial-class paver. It was gas-powered with variable widths and intuitive controls, transforming productivity and accessibility. This breakthrough marked the genesis of the LeeBoy brand.
In 1954, Art and Panny McElroy launched McElroy Manufacturing from their Tulsa, Oklahoma garage as a fabrication shop for local companies like American Airlines, WL Walker, and Allied Bearing.
Nicolaus August Otto transformed the world through his groundbreaking work in internal combustion technology. Originally a merchant and traveling salesman, Otto’s fascination with engines led him to experiment with combustion systems at a time when the field was still in its infancy. In 1862, he began developing his own four-stroke engine. Just two years later, he co-founded N. A. Otto & Company in Cologne with Eugen Langen, the world’s first factory dedicated solely to internal combustion engines, and the forerunner of today’s DEUTZ AG.